Evolution of the Oral Microbiome and Dental Caries

Adler, Christina; Browne, Gina V.; Sukumar, Smitha; Hughes, Toby

doi:10.1007/s40496-017-0151-1

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…These associations do not prove cause and effect, and it is more likely that high counts of these organisms are due to high sugar diets, in which sense they reflect caries risk and are not necessarily the only drivers of the disease process [29]. Indeed modern approaches to microbiomics, involving next generation sequencing methods, imply that complex consortia of bacteria are so associated, and these may be pathogenic [30, 31]. Today, growth of these consortia, composed of commensal species, is regarded as the result of ecological shifts driven by changes in the environment [32, 33], such that a range of ecological approaches to caries prevention are now being explored [34].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salivary characteristics and dental caries experience in remote Indigenous children in Australia: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2019

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BackgroundWhile associations between salivary characteristics and dental caries have been well studied, we are not aware of this being assessed in a remote Indigenous child population, where lifestyles may be different from urban children. Our aim was to assess associations between caries experience and putative biomarkers in saliva, accounting for oral hygiene and dietary habits.MethodsChildren attending schools in an Indigenous community in remote north Queensland, Australia were invited to an oral examination by qualified and calibrated examiners. Salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and loads of mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli (LB) and yeasts were determined. Also, data on tooth brushing frequency and soft drinks consumption were obtained via a questionnaire. Caries experience was recorded by the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS-II), and quantified as decayed, missing and filled surfaces. Relationships between the salivary variables and the cumulative caries experience (dmfs+DMFS) in the deciduous and permanent dentitions were examined by multivariate analyses to control the effect of confounders.ResultsThe mean cumulative decayed (DS + ds), missing (MS + ms) and filled (FS + fs) surfaces were 3.64 (SD: 4.97), 1.08 (4.38) and 0.79 (1.84) respectively. Higher salivary MS and LB counts, low tooth brushing frequency and daily soft drink consumption were significantly related to greater caries experience. Caries experience was about twice in those with ≥10^5 CFU/ml saliva counts of MS (mean = 6.33, SD: 8.40 vs 3.11, 5.77) and LB (7.03, 7.49 vs 4.41, 8.00). In the fully-adjusted multivariate model, caries experience in those with higher counts of MS and LB were 51 and 52% more than those with lower counts.ConclusionsAs with studies in other populations, childhood salivary counts of MS and LB were significantly associated with greater caries experience in this remote Indigenous community. To address the serious burden of oral disease, we are researching ways to promote a healthy oral environment by encouraging good dietary habits, and emphasising the importance of daily tooth brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste. Our ongoing longitudinal studies will indicate the success of measures employed to reduce the counts of bacteria closely associated with cariogenesis and their impact on caries increment.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), No: ACTRN12615000693527; date of registration: 3rd July 2015.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salivary characteristics and dental caries experience in remote Indigenous children in Australia: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2019

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“…Thus, the biofilm growth phase is referred to as the remodeling phase, which is characterized by early dominance by the genus Streptococcus followed by a shift toward more anaerobic and filamentous flora [53]. Hence, over time, the cariogenic biofilms will change, as cells are dying or changing their properties because of ecological pressure [62].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cariogenic Biofilms: Development, Properties, and Biomimetic Preventive Agents

et al. 2021

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Oral biofilms will build up within minutes after cleaning of the dental hard tissues. While the application of remineralizing agents is a well-known approach to prevent dental caries, modern oral care products offer also additional active agents to maintain oral health. Human saliva contains many different organic and inorganic compounds that help to buffer organic acids produced by cariogenic microorganisms. However, most oral care products only contain remineralizing agents. To improve the benefit of those products, further active ingredients are needed. Books, review articles, and original research papers were included in this narrative review. Putting all these data together, we give an overview of oral biofilms and active compounds used in modern oral care products to interact with them. The special focus is on inorganic compounds and their interaction with oral biofilms. While organic compounds have several limitations (e.g., cell toxicity), inorganic compounds based on calcium and/or phosphate (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate) offer several advantages when used in oral care products. Calcium release can inhibit demineralization, and the release of hydroxide and phosphate ions might help in the buffering of acids. Therefore, the focus of this review is to summarize the scientific background of further active ingredients that can be used for oral care formulations.

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“…regularity of sugar intake) likely varying depending on the prevailing oral microbiota. 22,43 High prevalence of occlusal caries is associated with low attrition, while interproximal lesions are linked with high attrition. 44 However, interproximal caries may also be related to calculus, as a result of plaque deposition in these areas 45 , although this link has not been extensively researched.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…20 It is often suggested that caries was scarce in pre-agricultural hominins. 21,22 Yet, evidence for such lesions in pre-agricultural groups is growing. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] In light of this evidence, we reanalysed South African fossil hominin material and Homo naledi recorded for the first time for the presence of caries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dental caries in South African fossil hominins

Towle¹,

Irish²,

Groote³

et al. 2021

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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Once considered rare in fossil hominins, caries has recently been reported in several hominin species, requiring a new assessment of this condition during human evolution. Caries prevalence and location on the teeth of South African fossil hominins were observed and compared with published data from other hominin samples. Teeth were viewed macroscopically, with lesion position and severity noted and described. For all South African fossil hominin specimens studied to date, a total of 10 carious teeth (14 lesions), including 4 described for the first time here, have been observed. These carious teeth were found in a minimum of seven individuals, including five Paranthropus robustus, one early Homo, and one Homo naledi. All 14 lesions affected posterior teeth. The results suggest cariogenic biofilms and foods may have been present in the oral environment of a wide variety of hominins. Caries prevalence in studied fossil hominins is similar to those in pre-agricultural human groups, in which 1–5% of teeth are typically affected.

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Evolution of the Oral Microbiome and Dental Caries

Cited by 11 publications

References 38 publications

Salivary characteristics and dental caries experience in remote Indigenous children in Australia: a cross-sectional study

Salivary characteristics and dental caries experience in remote Indigenous children in Australia: a cross-sectional study

Cariogenic Biofilms: Development, Properties, and Biomimetic Preventive Agents

Dental caries in South African fossil hominins

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